# Mikurajima

> A round, cliff-walled island about 200 km south of Tokyo with one small village, old-growth forest and wild bottlenose dolphins offshore. The overnight ferry managed to dock only about 62% of the time on average from 2016 to 2020, there are no day trips, and the tourism association says you cannot land without an accommodation booking.

- Prefecture: Tokyo
- Type: Island
- Address: Mikurajima, Tokyo, Japan
- Official site: https://mikura-isle.com/

Mikurajima is a nearly round island, about 20 square kilometers, whose sides drop straight into the Pacific, and its one village of roughly 300 people sits on the north slope above the only pier. That pier is the problem. Tokai Kisen's overnight ferry from Takeshiba often sails "conditionally", meaning it may reach the island and then carry on without stopping if the swell is wrong. Tokyo's port bureau puts the five-year average for 2016 to 2020 at 62%, the lowest in the Izu Islands, and 21 points lower in January to March. A second pier is being built to improve this. Because of that, the island does not do day trips, camping is banned everywhere, and with only eight inns and six village bungalows the tourism association is blunt: no booking, no landing. People come for two things. Bottlenose dolphins live around the island, and you can swim with them from March 15 to November 15 on boats run by Tokyo-certified guides. Inland, the forest climbs to Mount Oyama (851 m), and on the Nango course there is a sudajii chinquapin with a trunk 14 m around. Almost every trail needs a certified guide; only the Tantairo course is open on your own. Two grocery shops close around 18:00 and there is no convenience store, so plan your meals with your inn.

## FAQ

### Can I visit Mikurajima as a day trip?

No. The tourism association says day trips are not possible because the ferry is so unreliable, and it says you cannot land without an accommodation booking. Camping is banned everywhere on the island.

### How often does the ferry fail to dock at Mikurajima?

Tokyo's port bureau gives a five-year average docking rate of 62% for 2016 to 2020, the lowest in the Izu Islands, and 21 points lower from January to March. If the ship cannot dock, it goes on to the next island or turns back, and you get a full refund if you stay aboard and return on the same ship.

### Do I need a guide to swim with dolphins or walk the forest trails?

Yes for both, with one exception. Entering the sea within 1 km of the island for sightseeing requires a Tokyo-certified guide, so dolphin swimming is done from licensed guide boats between March 15 and November 15. On land, almost every trail needs a certified guide (up to seven people per guide); only the Tantairo course can be walked on your own.

---
Source: Mikurajima — Japan Voyage